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CD ROM Paradise Collection 4 1995 Nov.iso
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jesu31.zip
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MOTIVE.DOC
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1994-04-11
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THE MOTIVATION
Jesus is Love Personified
Jesus' motivation was love. He loved as a human being, for
he was truly human and he loved as God, for he was truly God.
The scriptures say that "God is love." (1 John 4:8).
The New Testament word for love, AGAPE, and its Old
Testament counterpart CHESED may be defined as "the God-given
desire to seek the best for the beloved on the highest moral
plane." However, love is not an abstract concept, but a state of
being that manifests itself in constructive action. This state
in mankind is a concomitant of the indwelling Holy Spirit--there
is no love without God.
Jesus' Speech Was Motivated by Love
Jesus was motivated by love for the Father and love for
people in everything he said. He spoke words of truth, healing
and correction. People listened to him because he was interested
in them. If we aspire to be a successful teacher like Jesus, we
must allow God to continually fill our hearts with his love:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is
shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is
given unto us. (Romans 5:5).
Altruism, the human substitute for AGAPE, is a bankrupt
love--it is EROS (selfish love) in disguise. People will not be
"conned" for long and our teaching will not be effective without
Jesus' motivation: AGAPE.
Jesus' Actions Were Motivated by Love
Jesus' deeds were motivated by love. What people DO reveals
the inner self more than what they SAY. Jesus' entire life was
love in action. Hence, the popular saying, "What you DO speaks
so loudly I can't hear what you're saying!" If we follow the
Master, our actions must be motivated by love.